MLB Player News

The Royals and Anderson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.575 million contract Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Anderson was in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Acquired from Atlanta via trade in November, Anderson posted a 3.06 ERA and 36:9 K:BB over 35.1 frames in 2023. He's a good bet to be effective for as long as he can remain healthy in 2024.

The Blue Jays and Mayza avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.59 million contract Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Mayza was arbitration-eligible for the second time. The southpaw reliever has been super reliable for Toronto over the last three seasons, posting a 2.67 ERA and 154:39 K:BB over 155 innings out of its bullpen.

Cabrera and the Blue Jays agreed to a one-year, $1,512,500 deal Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The 27-year-old southpaw had a career-best 10 percent walk rate while splitting time between St. Louis and Toronto, but he still lacks the control necessary to pitch regularly in high-leverage situations. Cabrera has a career 1.31 WHIP and has three saves in 203 appearances.

The Blue Jays and Romano avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.75 million contract Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

The closer was eligible for arbitration for the second time. Romano has recorded 36 saves each of the last two seasons in Toronto and will operate as the Blue Jays' ninth-inning man again in 2024.

The Twins and Thielbar avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.225 million contract Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Thielbar was arbitration-eligible for the third and final time. The left-handed reliever missed some time with injury in 2023 but was highly successful when on the bump, contributing a 3.23 ERA and 36:6 K:BB over 30.2 frames. He'll be a setup man again in 2024.

The Orioles and Tate avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Tate will receive the same salary as he was paid in 2023 after he missed the entire season because of a forearm issue. With better health, the 29-year-old could return to a setup role with Baltimore in 2024.

The Rays and Armstrong avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.05 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Armstrong was eligible for arbitration for a third time. The right-handed reliever was fantastic for Tampa Bay in 2023, collecting a 1.38 ERA and 54:11 K:BB across 52 frames. He's slated for middle relief with the Rays again in 2024.

Kuhnel cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Kuhnel is no longer on the Astros' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. The big right-hander has posted a 6.02 ERA and 71:24 K:BB over 83.2 innings during parts of four major-league seasons.

Holder signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Holder spent all of the 2023 season at Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels organization, posting a 5.40 ERA and 76:40 K:BB over 66.2 frames. The 30-year-old last saw action in the majors in 2020 and holds a career 4.38 ERA in 157 appearances at the big-league level.

Greene signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Greene, 35, has bounced around a lot over the last couple years, most recently tossing two scoreless frames in 2023 with the Cubs. He'll be in the mix for a bullpen spot in Texas but will most likely be assigned to Triple-A Round Rock to start off the 2024 campaign.